Lamsimnyi celebrated across Nagaland

Zeliang People’s Organization (ZPO) Chümoukedima organized “Lamsimnyi cum Chaga Gadi 2025” festival on October 31 of the at Nsarangbe Ki, Toulazouma, under the theme ‘Rekindling Bonds & Blessings’. The event was hosted by former director, DIPR, Pausui Zeliang.
The event witnessed hundreds of Zeliang community members residing in and around Chümoukedima district who gathered in traditional attires and celebrated the festival with pomp and gaiety accompanied by dances, songs, games and feast.
In his address, Pausui Zeliang highlighted the historical and spiritual significance of the Lamsimnyi and Chaga Gadi festivals. He recalled that the festival was declared a restricted holiday in 1966, when S.C. Deb, the then deputy commissioner of Kohima, attended the celebration as chief guest at Benreu Village on October 31. He emphasized that such festivals reflect God’s abundant blessings and strengthen the unity of the community.
The event also featured a folk-dance presentation by the Zeliang Welfare Society, Toulazouma, while Lesehu Meru, programme manager of CASA, NE-India, pronounced blessings for the community.
Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organization (NZPO), president, Zandi Domta, extended his warm greetings to the community on the joyous occasion, Zeliang Women Organization, Chümoukedima, vice president Apale, proposed the vote of thanks, and the programme was compered by Asungbe N. Hau, Advocate.
In the afternoon, the celebration continued with various traditional games and competitions, including Chugi/Tetiu (Shot Put), Heram/Tetun (High Jump), Hezwa/Tezong (Long Jump), Hebei Nrah Renia/Chapaipum Nphapbu (Bamboo Pole Climbing), and Heria Resutbe/Buiriang Asutbu (Tug of War). The festivities also featured more folk songs and dances, symbolizing the unity and vitality of the Zeliang community.
Lamsimnyi and Chaga gadi were celebrated traditionally by the Zeliang community during the last week of October or early November separately depending on the appearance of the moon which was later on fixed to October 30 and 31 as a restricted holiday by the government.
During the festival at Nsarangbe Ki on Saturday, the men folk began the celebration with traditional howling (Nrwa/Megubu), while an elder made a new fire (Mi-teu / Chemi – melepbu) in a traditional way which was traditionally practiced by extinguishing the old fire in the hearths and a new fire is lighted to mark a new phase of life of the community. Thereafter, Sangkibe Riame, president, AGG Baptist Bible College invoked God’s guidance and strength for the community, the President of Zeliang People’s Organization Chümoukedima, Akungbo Chewang welcomed the community members to the festival, while Egalung Zeliang, an elder of the community presented a folk song.
Jalukie: The Zeliangrong community jointly celebrated Langsimngyi, Chega Gadi and Ring Ngai festival at Jalukie town organised by the Zelaingrong Cultural Club Nagaland (ZCCN) under the leadership of Kehung Hegui as the convener for the event.
A press release by ZCCN convenor Kehung Hegui, stated that Veyielo Duolo, director, directorate of tourism, government of Nagaland and Albert Ezung, additional deputy commissioner, Jalukie town were the special guest and the guest of honor for the celebration.
Kehung Hegui, in his welcome note cited that since the declaration of Langsimngyi, Chega Gadi and Ring Ngai as the official Zeliangrong festival, this is the first time that the Zeliangrong community is coming together to celebrate the festival under one roof.
Hegui also emphasized on the importance of loving one another and coming together to stand united as one “zeliangrong” people.
The special guest Veyielo Duolo also greeted people on the occasion of the festival and spoke of the importance of unity and preserving one’s culture and identity. He spoke about the importance of promoting tourism in Peren district and getting the community educated about promoting tourism with the assistance of the department of tourism.